We had talked off and on for years about ways to share our experiences with others in the hopes it might help someone along the way. Frank had talked about blogging, but I thought, no, that's just not for us. Then our friend Grace told me one day that we should start a blog, that we could teach people the things we know. So we thought about it some more.
Then we emailed Patrice Lewis from Rural Revolution and asked her advice on starting and maintaining a blog. She has been very generous with her time and encouragement along the way. We read Rural Revolution everyday. Her site is filled with recipes, wisdom, good family values and you never really know what will show up there. Patrice was kind enough to mention us on her blog in the beginning. What a great start she gave us!
James Wesley Rawles from SurvialBlog has been very considerate in listing our blog on his site twice over these past few months. In doing this, our readership increased significantly. SurvivalBlog is another one of those sites that we read daily, and have for many years. We have learned and continue to practice many things that improve our lives, thanks to Mr. Rawles.
We like the fact that we have used pseudonyms here. It has given us the opportunity to remain anonymous. Actually, Frank and Fern are real
We truly pray that this blog will help someone out in some small way. We have had our fair share of failures in life and life has not always been comfortable. But, I don't remember in the game plan of life where it said everything is going to be peachy. However, we are here and happy to be here. We feel inspired to continue working and learning in every way we can. Thank you again for sharing your knowledge and experiences with us. We can't help but feel that time is short and we must do and share all we can.
And so, from our home to yours......May the Lord bless and keep you all. Now and forever.
Frank and Fern
Please do keep blogging! and Hamming! I started homesteading about 6 months ago and you've both taught me so much, especially on the animals and radios. I haven't gotten to either yet, but at least I'm not afraid of them anymore. And as soon as the fall planting is done, the coop is going up and the chickens in, then I'll do the radio. I know I really need it, a lot of my homesteading friends are spread throughout the state. I don't comment often, but I hit your blog right after Mr. Rawles' - so keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the encouragement and thank you for reading. Frank has a recommendation.
DeleteGo ahead and get in touch with your local ARRL to find out when and where the Ham Fests are in your area. Sometimes there is a charge for admission, and sometimes there is not, but it's not much. Start to get the feel for what ham radio is like. While you're in contact with ARRL, ask about when the next Technician Class will be. You only really need two basic radios, VHF/UHF and HF. As I've mentioned before, most hams are good, decent people. You can start looking now if you would like, at the Ham Fests, for new and used equipment.
Last night I listened to Radio Australia on my HF radio. I know this is not ham radio, but I like listening to shortwave radio and the HF radio is an excellent piece of equipment to do so. Many mornings I also listen to Radio Baicheng in China. As I mentioned in an earlier post, ham radio is a big stadium, there is something for everybody. The vast majority of what I do on the radio is listen.
My favorite livestock is chickens. You'll have to learn to cluck, though.
Thanks again and good luck.
Frank
Yes, please keep blogging. I only read three blogs consistently, survival blog.com, thoughts from frank and fern, and the adaptive curmudgeon. I read many other sites occasionally, but always start with these three. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading. We do appreciate it.
DeleteFern
Please keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteYour blog is fast becoming one of my favorites!
I appreciate ALL your posts!!!
I hope to begin "hamming", one day!
Please dont go anywhere!!!
Donna G.
As I've mentioned before, ham radio has room for everybody and all styles. Hope you find something you like. Don't forget shortwave.
DeleteFrank
I came to your blog on recommendation of Rural Revolution. So glad to have found you. I am also learning to homestead. Started at 62 upon retirement and now 68 building a small cabin on 12 acres raw land. I find your blog to be inspiring and helpful. I sent my grown son a link to your ham tutorials and he is making use of them. He has often spoken of his wish to be a ham operator. Thank you for sharing your experiences, thoughts and skills.
ReplyDeleteAs you now know, raw land has many challenges. Fern and I built a house once on raw land, and we're still married! It seems like everyday there was a new challenge. Best of luck.
DeleteFrank
Please keep writing. Your words have helped Ralph and I with our small struggle to know we are one the right track. It gives us hope that there are other people out there that understand the crisis this country is in and who also understand the soul healing activity of being self reliant and practicing personal responsibility. God Bless you both whatever you decide and again thank you!
ReplyDeleteKeep the faith, Fiona. We're all in this together on an individual basis. We will stick around for now. It appears to be what the Lord would have us do.
DeleteFern
You are both so inspiring; I hope you will keep blogging. We all have something to teach and something that we need to learn. We don't always remember to say thank you, but I am grateful each time someone posts something that helps me. God bless you.
ReplyDelete~ Kathi
Dear Frank and Fern,
ReplyDeleteI love your blog!!! I love that you are sharing your experiences and learning as you go. I love that your posts are always informative, not just a 'trip' around the property to see how cute the place is. I love the homey atmosphere, and at times I can smell the food cooking on your stove. Please keep blogging. If you keep writing, I will keep reading - and learning. Thanks for all the hard work and love you send our way each day.
Thank you, Katy. I wouldn't call our place 'cute', more like a never ending work in progress. I am grateful you enjoy coming by.
DeleteFern
Dear Frank and Fern, Thank you for continuing the blog. I've commented a few times on some of Fern's posts. I'm pretty sure I've gotten my husband hooked on Frank's posts now also.
ReplyDeleteI found you initially through my daughter's blog, Wandering Quail Road. We aren't necessarily "old" but we are retired and money is tight. I find great comfort and pleasure in your posts and in your photography. What a blessing you are for many of us.
Thank you again, Cheryl
Cheryl,
DeleteWe're glad you found us. Frank plans to expand his topics, so tell your husband to stay tuned. We are humbled to be considered a blessing.
Take care,
Fern
I just found you also! Wow, reaching 100,000 so quickly speaks volumes to the quality of your blog! We have a ham radio that hasn't been used in decades! My husband and I read a book recently called 'Dominatus' that has made us want to figure out how to use it. We are also homesteading newbies and I will now be following your blog for more information. Thank you - and keep blogging!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your blog and please don't quit. I really enjoy reading what both of you write. I am trying to become more self reliant. I have a garden which did fairly well this year, and we are just trying to be ready for whatever comes. I recently retired, and learning about ham radio is on my to do list. I've been fascinated with radios since I was little, but ham radio would be a new adventure.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the encouragement. Frank has always loved radios, too. But the last couple of years he has really cranked it up. Just yesterday he commented that there are radio concepts he is just now understanding. Keep at it. Learning and doing a little at a time is all any of us can do.
DeleteFern